hunting in califoria

[why]

I am 67 and started hunting in ca. when I was 12 first gun 410 single shot,I am from a hunting family and started hunting deer at 15 first gun 348 win. model 71.I have hunted all over no.ca.,modoc,burne,susenville,trucky,latenville,stoneyford,clearlake,you name it I have hunted there.Hunted birds also,not ducks.What made me what to make a post here i s I have been sitting here watching the outdoor channel and thinking to myself I wonder how much these guys are paying for these hunts and how many of us can afford to go on these hunts.I remember when you bought your license and tags at walgreens or longs,2 deer inland and 1 nothern and could hunt anywhere,no area draw.When I was 25 I starter to notice there were more hunters and less deer.the next year was even worse.When I was 27 a friend and myself hunted upper lake where you turn at the school drive though the ranches to get to the public land,on the drive though the ranches we saw a lot of deer.got to our spot we hunted for years we always scored there,but not this time.we gave up and on the way out saw tons of hunters,and on the road though the ranches there where tons of deer big racks laying under trees with ranchers patrolling the road.We hunted modoc late season and there where so many hunters it was hard to find a place to camp.that was the last year I hunted deer,40 years ago,started hunting pigs,found some good spots between latenville and honeydew,it took 5 yrs.for that to dry up.all that was left was ducks,started hunting sac.and calusa res.,it was ok if you got there in time to draw for a blind.hunted there a couple years until we where turned away at 9 the night before,it was full.That was the end of hunting me and my partner.
that was 33 years ago.I loved hunting and miss it.fish and game say that only 10% of deer hunters harvest a deer in ca. to me that means that 10% of hunters are hunting on private land and 90% are hunting on public land.If you have a lot of money there is good hunting in ca. if you dont shoot skeet and targets and save your time money.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Nothing in California is as it was. Sigh

 

[ChrisAMX]

In early 70's, Field and Stream had deer population by State. The top four the best I can remember were 1. Texas, 2. California 3. Oregon 4. Pennsylvania. I would be that CA wasn't in the top thirty at this point.

 

[KTKT70]

ouch. that's why its so hard on us new guys that don't have a lot of money. I have always been around guns and hunting. But the Lt. Col didn't have much time for that kind of stuff. He was bizzy with the corps and church stuff most the time.

 

[easymoney]

why,
I have fond memories of good hunting back then too...

 

[why]

If you are hunting on public land in ca.,dont call it hunting call it camping and hiking,you can only say you are hunting if there is something there to hunt.

 

[ChrisAMX]

Maybe if an area was closed to hunting for a season or two things would improve? I know that sounds a little drastic.

 

[slanttop357]

I dont care if your on the moon its called hunting, not camping/hiking/fishing/taking a dump whatever, there are deer in California and yes on public land, true the hunting was better back in the day when there were less people less encroachment on deer habitat, but there are deer on public land and i got a D14 tag and i will be up on the mountain camping & hunting come September 7 and you know what i might not see or shoot a deer but i will be hunting.

 

[why]

slanttop,good luck with that,I can see you are a die hard,I do wish you luck,I can understand,I still play the lottery even though I know I am never going to win.

 

[easymoney]

spot on slattop,
It might not be the gravy days I once had, and I might not get drawn for what I want but I always make the best time of the hunting I do have. CA is blessed with some of the most incredible scenery and country, and if one works hard one can score...

 

[ChrisAMX]

I'll be out too d13. Saw lots of does last year but no bucks. Seen them when scouting around so I keep my hopes up!

 

[thewolfman]

Now it wouldnt be hunting if every time u go out and u bag something.... I was taught that just being out in the outdoors is what its all about and bagging dinner is just a bonus....there might not be as much deers out there like back in the days but we still see deer almost everytime we go out...I rather have my kids in the mtns hunting than inside playing video games anyday...

In all, there is still a lot of good hunting in California... just takes a lot of scouting and hitting the hills/ canyons hiking away from the crowds....worth every sore foot, muscle, back aching and lung busting moment... haha...better than sitting around the house being nag by the Missy... my 2 pennies

 

[why]

Back in the day it wasnt like you got out of your car and there were deer everywhere,it was hard work,beating the brush climbing mountains working down kicking deer out of the canyons,it was hard work but there were rewards.driving home was always a happy time.I go camping and hiking but not hunting,if I am going to put the time and effort into deer hunting and time after time not score and leave disappointed and frustrated its not worth it,I cant see putting myself though that.There are 2 things I think have ruined deer hunting,to many hunters and most dont know what they are doing and the other is that deer hunting is no longer a sport it is a business.

 

[slanttop357]

I spent 9 years bow hunting before i arrowed my first Deer, i know thats a long time but i was out in the woods doing what i love. I told myself if i did not score the next year i would give it up well i arrowed my first deer on my next trip up to X12. I just wish i would of put more effort into Deer hunting but i would find myself taking 6 rolls of pitchers and fishing and exploring all that pretty country.

 

[Bubblehide]

Back in the day it wasnt like you got out of your car and there were deer everywhere,...

Back in the day, I didn't even have to get out of the truck to see several hundred deer, I just just had to drive around a FEW curves of the dirt roads. Despite the deer numbers dropping as they have, I love hunting them.

 

[why]

Spring Valley Road just outside Laytonville,Ca. miles of dirt road,tons of deer and pigs,must have road hunted it a hundred times now gone forever,all resdential.Like I said hunting is a big business now.No money no hunting.In calif. its 14 to15 thousand for an elk hunt,3 grand for a deer hunt,15 hundred for a pig hunt,god only knows how much to get into a good duck club.

 

[slanttop357]

Why, have you not looked at past and present deer threads in JHO not only that but i am sure you have friends that hunt and do well maybe not, the state ins not what you make it out to be. There are a lot of Deer in California and on public land no less, dont know where your coming from or what your point is, maybe someone that bagged there first deer on public land will chime in, and i guarantee you they will say what the hell are you talking about. Also it dont cost thousands of $$$ to hunt Duck & Geese in Calif and upland.

 

[why]

I dont know anyone that hunts Calif. anymore,I do have a few friends that hunt out of state,but I dont have the money to go out of state altough I am saving to go next year for texas whitetail.Like I said before Calif.fish and game says that 10% of deer hunters in Calif. harvest a deer,that 10% hunts on private land or pays a guide,so where are the other 90% that are not harvesting a deer,where are they hunting.Thats my point.

 

[cjack]

I dont know anyone that hunts Calif. anymore,I do have a few friends that hunt out of state,but I dont have the money to go out of state altough I am saving to go next year for texas whitetail.Like I said before Calif.fish and game says that 10% of deer hunters in Calif. harvest a deer,that 10% hunts on private land or pays a guide,so where are the other 90% that are not harvesting a deer,where are they hunting.Thats my point.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/showthread.php/243182-A-zone-Buck-Down-) Someone better tell Chayito!

 

[Chayito702]

Thanks Cjack! Just read the thread and I'm like wow!

Why ,
I really don't now why your saying there is no deer in calif. There is deer and lots of them on Public Land. Like WolfMan said just had to put lots of scouting and miles on your boots.

It really don't cost that much money to hunt public land. It only cost me about $70 bucks of gas round trip to get out there with my father. Cjack post the link to the story and pix of the buck I harvest on opening day. Last year I got a nice 3x3, dad a nice forky and cousin a nice 4x4 on the same public land diff dates.

No disrespect but it sounds like you are looking for deer to come out and walk towards you for an ez kill without enjoying the outdoors. I love and enjoy every single sec that I'm out there even if I tag out it doesn't matter. Being with my father hunting next to him is priceless.

Just my 2 cents.